Based on the life of:

Max Lechner

2000 - 2011

Benefitting the Charity:   The Compassionate Friends -www.tcf.org.uk

Max

Some are born sound in wind and limb and yet live dreary lives of misery and pain. Others are born with severe congenital defects like the Di George syndrome and yet enjoy lives full of spirit, happiness, energy and love.

Max had part of the DNA missing on chromosome 22 and soon after birth needed urgent heart valve surgery. He was so gravely ill that the priest came to the ward to give the last rites. But he survived - and flourished - although the odds were staked against him from the start and he needed other operations. Yet he triumphed in his own way and developed. Even did well at school where he was popular. He was in the football team and was a Scout. A bustling, well-adjusted, friendly, outgoing boy who was liked by everyone who met him. Loved by many, Max had many, many friends.

He was eleven years old in November then, infected by the Staphylococcus Aureus bug in December, was taken to hospital, then rushed to Glasgow where they operated at the Yorkhill Hospital. The surgery on his heart lasted hours and seemed successful, but then complications from the infection ensued and alas spread to the brain: Little more could be done. They tried .... and he endured brain surgery but his immune system could not overcome the aneurysm that followed. Max died in the early hours of 29th December bathed in love from his parents and brothers who were with him there close by the bedside.

So...what would you choose? To live eighty or more of inadequate life possibly depressed, in misery, empty? Or eleven years wrapped tight in a loving caring family enjoying a fine, active life of mostly fun, joy and happiness? which?

Most of us would go with what Max enjoyed .... he was a real character and wonderful wee boy whose spirit will continue always to enhance all those of us who knew and dearly loved him.

The absence of his friendly, bustling physical presence is a great deprivation... it is an emptiness, a void, a vacuum, a chasm .... a cause of sadness and pain. Oh, how deeply his happy eleven years old presence is missed. But we knew him and are richer for it. We now hug his brave spirit .... You were a great wee chap, Max. We miss you.

A FORCE FIELD

The saddest moment of my life was in church

Sitting close to the coffin of my grandson Max

Knowing I would never have the great pleasure

Of his ebullient, happy, eleven year old presence

Ever, ever again.

Yet now, some time later, I find Max is with me

Still, here in thoughts, in spirit ... insubstantial

Yet there ...dauntlessness, zestful, enthusiastic,

His characteristic sparkle existing in memory

A continuing, floating essence which will remain

Giving delight to my heart ... and a wistful smile

Always ... good on ya, Max!